Baseball's Milestone Contracts

Honus Wagner: $10,000

Just before the 1908 season, Honus Wagner planned to retire ... until Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss doubled his salary. Wagner was paid $10,000 per season from 1908 until he retired in 1917, when the average individual income in America was $807.

Honus Wagner: $10,000

Just before the 1908 season, Honus Wagner planned to retire ... until Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss doubled his salary. Wagner was paid $10,000 per season from 1908 until he retired in 1917, when the average individual income in America was $807.

Babe Ruth: $50,000

March 5, 1922: The Yankees sign Babe Ruth to a three-year deal for a record $52,000 per season. The Bambino made more salary headlines in 1930, when he became the first player to earn more money than the president: Ruth earned $80,000 to President Herbert Hoover's $75,000. When asked about it, Ruth replied, "What's Hoover gotta do with it? I had a better year than he did."

Babe Ruth: $50,000

March 5, 1922: The Yankees sign Babe Ruth to a three-year deal for a record $52,000 per season. The Bambino made more salary headlines in 1930, when he became the first player to earn more money than the president: Ruth earned $80,000 to President Herbert Hoover's $75,000. When asked about it, Ruth replied, "What's Hoover gotta do with it? I had a better year than he did."

Hank Greenberg: $100,00

Jan. 18, 1947: Talked out of retirement by Pirates owner John Galbreath, Pittsburgh bought Greenberg from the Tigers for $75,000 and agreed to make him the first $100,000 player. Greenberg hit the final 25 homers of his career and tutored prospect Ralph Kiner.

Hank Greenberg: $100,00

Jan. 18, 1947: Talked out of retirement by Pirates owner John Galbreath, Pittsburgh bought Greenberg from the Tigers for $75,000 and agreed to make him the first $100,000 player. Greenberg hit the final 25 homers of his career and tutored prospect Ralph Kiner.

Catfish Hunter: $750,000

Dec. 31, 1974: The Yankees sign Jim "Catfish" Hunter to a five-year, $3.75 million contract. This is triple the salary of any other major league player. More significantly, the deal illuminated the potential of free agency for superstar players and teams that could afford them.

Catfish Hunter: $750,000

Dec. 31, 1974: The Yankees sign Jim "Catfish" Hunter to a five-year, $3.75 million contract. This is triple the salary of any other major league player. More significantly, the deal illuminated the potential of free agency for superstar players and teams that could afford them.

Dave Winfield: $1.5 million

Dec. 15, 1980: Dave Winfield becomes the highest-paid player in baseball when he signs a 10-year, $15 million contract with the Yankees. It is the first eight-figure deal for a player in major league history.

Dave Winfield: $1.5 million

Dec. 15, 1980: Dave Winfield becomes the highest-paid player in baseball when he signs a 10-year, $15 million contract with the Yankees. It is the first eight-figure deal for a player in major league history.

Kirby Puckett: $3 million

Nov. 22, 1989: With a three-year, $9 million deal, the Twins make Kirby Puckett the game's highest-paid player -- for about a week. Rickey Henderson, Mark Langston and Mark Davis signed deals of equal or greater value before Opening Day.

Kirby Puckett: $3 million

Nov. 22, 1989: With a three-year, $9 million deal, the Twins make Kirby Puckett the game's highest-paid player -- for about a week. Rickey Henderson, Mark Langston and Mark Davis signed deals of equal or greater value before Opening Day.

Roger Clemens: $5 million

Feb. 8, 1991: Roger Clemens' four-year, $21.5 million extension to remain with the Red Sox was surpassed before Opening Day (by Ryne Sandberg), but The Rocket was the first to reach and exceed $5 million per year.

Roger Clemens: $5 million

Feb. 8, 1991: Roger Clemens' four-year, $21.5 million extension to remain with the Red Sox was surpassed before Opening Day (by Ryne Sandberg), but The Rocket was the first to reach and exceed $5 million per year.

Albert Belle: $10 million

Nov. 19, 1996: The White Sox sign Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million contract. Belle's average annual salary of $11 million is $2.5 million than the next highest-paid player (Ken Griffey Jr., $8,500,000).

Albert Belle: $10 million

Nov. 19, 1996: The White Sox sign Albert Belle to a five-year, $55 million contract. Belle's average annual salary of $11 million is $2.5 million than the next highest-paid player (Ken Griffey Jr., $8,500,000).

Alex Rodriguez: $25 million

Dec. 11, 2000: The Rangers lured Alex Rodriguez from the Mariners with a monster 10-year, $252 million deal. Traded to the Yankees in 2004, A-Rod opted out of that contract after the 2007 season and signed a 10-year, $275 million deal to remain in pinstripes through 2017.

Alex Rodriguez: $25 million

Dec. 11, 2000: The Rangers lured Alex Rodriguez from the Mariners with a monster 10-year, $252 million deal. Traded to the Yankees in 2004, A-Rod opted out of that contract after the 2007 season and signed a 10-year, $275 million deal to remain in pinstripes through 2017.

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